Click here to see the wording of this Article as it appears on your ballot.
What it means: The Hampton Hub is envisioned as a central facility where residents can engage in many different community activities all within the same walkable area of town. If approved, Article 21 will allow the Library and Recreation Department to create a framework to build a community center. This involves forming a steering committee, and hiring engineers, architects, and planning professionals to do site plan analysis, need assessments, and case studies. These efforts will produce a Final Concept Design Report with plans, design renderings, and a visual representation of the options.
There is an opportunity at the state level for a grant to cover either the full or partial costs associated with the design work. Since the availability of the grant funding is uncertain at this point, the Article is requesting voter approval. If the voters approve and the grant is secured, the funds will be returned to the General Fund.
Those in favor say: Over 1,400 Hampton residents have participated in surveys and online visioning to establish the community need. Those involved in the planning are committed to minimizing the financial impact on taxpayers. Several people referenced the importance of community in difficult times, and how important it is to have a safe, local “spot” to convene with others. The population of seniors is expected to double in the next twenty years, and they will need an ADA-compliant space in which to have activities. The Town has been discussing a community center for over 40 years, each time with conceptual support but folks who felt and “it was not the right time”. This is a good, logical next step to making the collective wishes of the community come to fulfillment.
Those against say: This may not the right time for this kind of an expenditure with so many other town needs. One speaker was unclear about the relationship of the proposed facility to the Tuck Field Community Center, which was just opened. Someone inquired about unused space in the basement of the Library as a solution.
Fiscal impact: Cost per thousand dollars of valuation is $0.042. A household valued at $400,000 will see a tax increase of $16.80 in 2023. Any grant funding will offset the cost of the design work.